Haiti and Dominican Republic continue playing trade hardball at the border

Dajabón, Dominican Republic.- A stoppage of business activities since 7am Thursday has gripped the border zone indefinitely, as local organizations protest Port-au-Prince’s ban on the entry of more than 20 Dominican products overland to Haiti.

Local media report that while the border is open to people on foot with their legal papers, no vehicles are allowed to cross over the bridge at the Masacre river.

The street that leads to the binational market and border gate was blocked by trucks of the union Fenatrado, whose protest is backed by the Dajabon Merchants Federation and business groups in Haiti.

Dominican Border Security (Cesfront) and National Police agents have beefed up patrols, whereas Merchants Federation president Freddy Morillo regretted will bring more hunger to Haiti and increased smuggling.